Dejan Pandurevic out to make a name for himself at Nike Academy and follow in Tom Rogic’s footsteps

TOM Rogic is held in so much reverence by young Australian players for his trailblazing exploits.

Three years ago, the then 18-year-old was selected from up 75,000 applicants to join the prestigious Nike Football Academy in England.

Still just 21, Rogic now plays in Europe for Scottish giants Celtic and is, when fit, a regular with the Socceroos as well.

It’s a path Dejan Pandurevic, who burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old for NSW Premier League side Manly United, wants to tread as well.

Tom Rogic is now a regular for the Socceroos, when fit.Source: Getty Images

Although not in the classically elegant mould of Rogic, the 17-year-old is also an attacking weapon from midfield.

He was selected as Australia’s representative at the Nike Academy after impressing in a class of 64 hopefuls at the Australian trials.

The judges were particularly impressed by his finishing ability in the box, positioning and passion for the game.

His reward was an opportunity of a lifetime - chase that first professional contract as part of a Nike Academy team that would play English clubs and train at St George’s Park, the home of the England national team.

Three months in and he’s clearly living the dream.

“I got to see Barcelona in pre-season and last weekend we went and saw Manchester City play Stoke,” he said.

“We have played the likes of AFC Wimbledon, Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest and Reading.

“It’s a great experience playing against players who have a professional contract - and see that I’m not to far away from them.

“Getting use to the regime was tough at first but after a while you get use to it.

“We have been training twice a day and playing two games a week, which is a lot more than I did in Australia. I’m learning that recovery is very important.”

With scouts watching all the time, Panderevic knows every touch, every shot and, in particular, every goal will be scrutinised.

While he’s been generally happy with his form, he admits that he needs to start finding the back of the net.

It’s a part of his game that helped earn him recognition in the first place.

Central Coast Mariners coach Phil Moss.Source: News Corp Australia

Former Central Coast Mariners star Patrick Zwaanswijk, now the club’s youth coach, raved about it earlier this year.

“His work rate is great, he’s a good finisher inside the box, he’s strong physically for his age, he positions himself well, he can hold the ball up and bring midfielders into play, and he’s got a lot of energy to attack the goal, which is something you like to see in a young player,” he said.

And with Pandurevic considering a return to the Mariners at the end of the year if a European move doesn’t eventuate, it’s helpful that he has another fan in senior Mariners coach Phil Moss.

“Dejan is a young player I’ve had my eye on for a number of years, as I used to work with him at Manly United,” Moss said.

“He has a real passion for the game and his potential is starting to open some doors for him to help launch his professional career.”